KARATE CHOP

 Designer Celerie Kemble does the chop.

Do you karate chop your pillows? In an effort to "fluff up" a pancake thin down pillow, many people resort to the "karate chop"; puffing the pillow and then chopping down the middle leaving a large V indentation.  The karate chop seems to evoke the wrath of some in the design community. In a recent interview, designer Michael Smith said something to the effect that a karate chopped pillow should be punishable by jail time! There is even a Facebook Fan page "Don't you hate it when you karate chop your pillow in half!!" (258 fans).

While I'm not a big fan of the full-blown "chop," I don't think it's an offense that should require jail time. As with most things, moderation seems to produce the best results. A tiny indentation on the top of the pillow leaves a shallow, subtle scoop, producing a fluffy, inviting pillow.  And so, the debate goes on-what do you think of the Karate Chop?

  Super Chop!

Desinger Carlton Varney karate chops his pillows

Modified karate chop from Eric Kohler

and Miles Redd...

MAD FOR PLAID

Elle Decor

I'm mad for plaid but only in small doses--a soft blanket or pillow on a lounge chair or sofa provides just the right amount of plaid panache for me and can be easily changed based on the season and my ever changing whim. I think style icon Lee Radziwill's pied-a-tierre in Paris, which  features a vintage cream Christian Liaigre's sofa stylishly draped in an earth toned plaid throw, hits just the right note.  Subtle and casually chic, the plaid throw softens the sofas angular shape juxtaposing nicely with the paired glass and brass coffee tables. Ms. Radziwill makes it look oh so easy!

 

If you like the throw featured in Lee Radziwill's living room-- the iconic Burberry plaid blanket is always in style and in cashmere, naturally!

Elle Decor

The handsome guestroom of design team Mark Badgley and James Mischka at their horse farm in Kentucky.  Vintage Louis Vuitton luggage serve as a side table. Crisp Sferra white linens and a vintage plaid Ralph Lauren blanket evoke country squire elegance.

If you like the Badgley Mischka bedroom you may like the Adrianna taffeta pillow by Ralph Lauren.

House Beautiful

 Black Stewart Tartan from Ralph Lauren Home cozies up a towering great room in Sun Valley. 

  

Rich winter Tartans can be found in Ralph Lauren's Indian Cove bedding.

William Sonoma Home offers chic cashmere plaid throws in jewel tones.

 

DESIGNER NOTEBOOK-MANY SHADES OF WHITE

I recently began work on a high rise apartment overlooking the East River in New York City.  The home has amazing views of Manhattan from its 44th floor and enough sunlight to fill several dark pre-wars on Park Avenue.  The only catch to this contemporary haven is that as a rental, the walls need to remain white. I like this design challenge because there are so many shades of white to choose from.Not such a big problem for me because I love white walls. They provide a beautiful backdrop for photography and art and great contrast to dark wooden floors. I'll be showing the apartment as a work in progress beginning next week. In the interim the photo above of a family room in Southampton that I designed illustrates the power of white paint. The creamy Sail White paint on the walls provides the perfect backdrop to a set of black and white prints and allows the blue and white slip covered chairs to be center stage. The wood trim was painted Atrium White, a clean white that balances nicely with the dark wood floors and seagrass carpet.

A short rundown of my favorite whites include:

Atrium White, Benjamin Moore- A clear white with a pink blush that's flattering to your skin's natural pigment--perfect for a tranquil bedroom.

Bone White, Benjamin Moore- Great for painting doors. The contrast of crisp white trim against the creamy bone white adds a dramatic contrast.

Sail White Ralph Lauren- A bowl of fresh from the farm cream, beautiful paired with Atrium white trim.

Pocket Watch White, Ralph Lauren- A light grey chalky white. Very calming and classic.

Pointing, Farrow and Ball-Creamy and warm, pairs nicely with other whites.